Geribá.

About

Geribá runs about two kilometres along the south-western flank of the Búzios peninsula, the longest open-ocean beach on the headland and the heart of the local surf scene. It is an exposed beach break with peaks shifting across the bank, dominated by lefts. Two named corners bracket the beach: Canto Direito on the rocks at one end and Canto Esquerdo at the other, the latter faster and more powerful when a clean south swell hits.

Picks up swell from south-east through south-west, with the optimal day being south to south-west at 12 seconds and up. Antarctic groundswell from April to October is the bread and butter; summer goes flat for stretches at a time. Mid to high tide holds the cleanest shape; lower tides expose cobbles inside the corners. Light north-east is straight offshore. The afternoon south-easter fills onshore by mid-afternoon.

Open to all levels when it is small, forgiving on the outside peaks toward the middle of the beach. When a clean swell pushes overhead, the corners sharpen up and the takeoffs get exact; the locals own the rotation. Surf schools, shortboard regulars, and longboarders all share the same kilometre of bank. Watch the rip channel at the southern end: it runs hard out past the rocks on a dropping tide.